Department of Natural Resources

Field Placement Description
The Legal Division of the Office of the Secretary (Legal Division) serves as legal counsel for all primary divisions in the Department and its duties consist of, but are not limited to, reviewing contracts, cost-share agreements, and other documents which could have a legal or liability implication for the Department or the State, and to review in conjunction with the Public Information Office all requests for public records. Externs may observe day to day work of licensed attorneys, board meetings, legal proceedings, departmental meetings and other professional activites. This externship provides an opportunity to extern in an office working on protecting the natural resources for the state. Students will extern along side attorneys who are drafting legislation, lobbying and following current case law to determine the best process to protect the state's resources. This externship will improve students statutory analysis, legal research and writing, substantive law analysis, and understanding of policy. Students will also see ethical rules and professional conduct in the context of government lawyering.

Externship Requirements
All students are encouraged to apply. Students interested in environmental law are encouraged to apply.

Application Process
Don't delay as opportunities will fill fast. Apply in early January through early April for a summer placement. The Office of Skills seeks to place all summer extern applications in by April 20th with finalized placements set by May 1st. Apply in early March through June for a Fall or Spring placement. All externship applications for Fall should be submitted by July 31st. Externship applications are processed on a first come first serve basis.